A Ucrânia necessita fronteiras abertas da UE para seus produtos agrícolas - Anton Geraschenko

 From: Anton Geraschenko

Friends,

The following post is about something extremely important for the Ukrainian economy and Ukrainian survival. Please read it and help spread the message. If you know someone who needs to read this post, please share it with them. 

In 2022, after Russia launched the full-scale invasion on Ukraine, the EU introduced a temporary suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the Union.

Now, they have been restored for another year except for a cap on imports of Ukrainian poultry, eggs and sugar. It is vital for Ukrainian economy that they are not capped in the foreseeable future.

The agriculture area is one of the largest sources of revenue for Ukraine - about 60%. It brings much-needed income to finance the Ukrainian Armed Forces, to help Ukrainians survive. It provides jobs and the opportunity for people to support themselves and their families, to donate to the Army. It keeps people in Ukraine, not making them refugees and needing support from other countries.

Some facts:

🔷️The European Union consumes over 12 million tons of poultry meat per year. Of this amount, about 200,000 tons were Ukrainian in 2023.

🔸️Meanwhile, Ukraine has exported 425,000 tons of poultry in 2023. So while the total amount of Ukrainian poultry in EU is very, very small (as is its capability to drive up prices), for Ukraine these numbers (and the money earned) make about half of our poultry exports.

🔸️Moreover, the EU currently gives shelter to millions of Ukrainian refugees who fled from the war. So the demand for all types of food in the EU has increased when these consumers moved there.

🔸️Ukrainian poultry and egg industry has suffered tremendously in the war - at least 6 million chickens (hens etc) died from occupation, blackouts, combat, you name it. Consequently, the egg production has dropped significantly, as well. The industry needs money to restore its facilites. The money comes from exports.

🔷️As for sugar, the cap could lead to factories closure in Ukraine as the Ukrainian sugar industry is export-oriented. With the sea export routes being limited and the cap on exports to EU, Ukrainian factories will suffer losses. This will lead to closures. This means less jobs available, less taxes paid into the Ukrainian economy, less money for the Ukrainian Army - and more financial support from the EU, in the end.

❗️Fair competition IS important. But the situation itself is not fair. Ukraine is fighting for her survival and lives in different circumstances. So the preferences are actually a way to make the competition fair.

There will be a vote on this issue soon in the EU. I urge everyone to spread this message. Allowing Ukrainian exports is a real support for Ukraine, a real way to help us stand. Thankful to all who understands this.